On Sunday, October 22, the U.S.-Japan Council co-sponsored two sold out performances of “Defining Courage,” an immersive live performance that honors the most decorated U.S. soldiers of World War II—the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service—in San Jose, California, home to one of three remaining Japantowns in the United States. Attendees heard the stories of these Nisei soldiers, many fighting for the U.S. while their families were incarcerated in America’s concentration camps, told in a unique live performance that combines live storytelling, new and historical film footage, eyewitness interviews and live music.
The event was presented by Story Boldly, the Japanese American National Museum, Outside In Theatre and numerous local partners in the San Jose Japantown community such as the San Jose Japanese American Citizens League and the Japanese American Museum of San Jose among others.
Many members of the U.S.-Japan Council community were in attendance, including Council Leader David Ono (ABC7, JALD ‘18), Board of Councilors Member Kristi Yamaguchi (Always Dream), Council Leader Michael Sera (Japanese American Museum of San Jose) and USJC Associate Ellen Kamei (City of Mountain View, California, ELP ’15).
Thank you to USJC Associates Ellen Kamei (City of Mountain View, California, ELP ’15) and Jeff Yukikazu Sera (Food 4 Thought) for the written content and photos!